FT group chief Rona Fairhead quits

Rona Fairhead

Rona Fairhead has held several senior roles during her 12-year career at the publisher, including a spell as chief financial officer, but said now was the “natural moment” to move on.

She leaves in April, four months after Pearson boss Marjorie Scardino hands over the reins to John Fallon, currently head of the group’s international education arm.

The change in leadership, along with plans to merge its Penguin Books business with Random House, has sparked speculation that Pearson may seek a buyer for the Financial Times, but the group has said it has no plans to sell off the business newspaper.